Chief Operations Officer Full Time

Federated Energy Services Cooperative is looking for a Chief Operations Officer (COO), who will be responsible for overseeing and managing the operations department across both LMRE and NCE. This role requires a strategic leader with extensive experience in electric utility operations to ensure efficient, reliable, and safe delivery of services. The COO will report directly to the President/CEO and will have direct reports including the LMRE Operations Manager and the NCE Operations Manager. The COO is required to split their time as evenly as possible between both the LMRE headquarters in Spencer, OH, and the NCE headquarters in Attica, OH.

Federated Energy Services Cooperative is a management cooperative that provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative (LMRE) and North Central Electric Cooperative (NCE). Both LMRE and NCE are not-for-profit electric cooperatives dedicated to delivering reliable electric services to their communities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and direction to the operations departments of LMRE and NCE, ensuring alignment with the cooperative’s strategic goals and objectives.
• Oversee and manage all aspects of electric utility operations including maintenance, construction, safety, and reliability of the electric distribution systems.
• Directly supervise the LMRE Operations Manager and the NCE Operations Manager, providing guidance, support, and professional development opportunities.
• Ensure efficient coordination and utilization of resources, including mechanics, operations coordinators, line foremen, groundmen, apprentices, and journeyman linemen across both cooperatives.
• Develop and implement operational policies, procedures, and best practices to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with other senior leaders to develop and execute long-term strategic plans and capital improvement projects.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of the operations teams, implementing corrective actions as necessary to meet performance standards and operational goals.
• Foster a culture of safety, continuous improvement, and accountability within the operations department.
• Attend monthly board meetings to report on the activities of the department.
• Prepare the department’s annual budget to be included in the overall annual budget for board approval.

Collaboration with Engineering and Strategy Departments:

• Work closely with the FESCO Engineering department to ensure seamless coordination between the development of work plans, system designs, and their implementation and maintenance by the operations department.
• Foster a strong working relationship with the Chief Professional Engineer to ensure alignment and effective communication between engineering and operations.
• Collaborate with the FESCO Strategy department to support initiatives for new and existing members, ensuring operational readiness and alignment with strategic goals.
• Engage in regular cross-departmental meetings to review progress, address challenges, and develop integrated solutions that enhance overall cooperative performance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in electric utility operations, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience managing large teams and complex operational functions in an electric cooperative or similar environment.
• Strong knowledge of electric distribution systems, safety regulations, and industry best practices.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to develop and implement strategic plans and operational initiatives.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of stakeholders and build strong professional relationships.
• Commitment to the mission and values of not-for-profit electric cooperatives.
• Candidates without a degree will be considered if they exceed the experience requirements and can demonstrate progressive advancement in electric utility operations throughout their career.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time.
• Ability to occasionally lift and move objects up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to work in an office setting and visit field sites as necessary.
• Ability to drive and travel between the LMRE and NCE headquarters and other locations as needed.
• Adequate vision and hearing to perform job functions safely and effectively.

Location: This position works out of both the LMRE headquarters in Spencer, OH, and the NCE headquarters in Attica, OH.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Full medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401k plan
• RS (Retirement Savings) plan
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement
• A supportive and collaborative work environment dedicated to serving the community.

Reporting Relationships:

• The COO will report directly to the CEO.

This Position Description is intended to identify the essential functions of a position and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. The employee may be required to perform or assume additional position-related responsibilities other than those stated in this description.

Lorain Medina Rural Electric Cooperative and North Central Electric Cooperative reserve the right to revise or change the position responsibilities as the need arises. This Position Description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. The time frames mentioned for the successful accomplishment of training phases are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as an implied contract of employment for any amount of time.

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